H.E. Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the UAE minister of state for Foreign Trade told the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s most recent General Council meeting in Geneva, that the global trading community needs to move forward with reforms to modernise the global trade system.
Addressing the Council, the highest-level decision-making body of the WTO, H.E. Al Zeyoudi reasserted the UAE’s belief that global trade is both a key catalyst for inclusive global growth and an important remedy for the current economic headwinds. He cited the progress made at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June, which included breakthroughs on fisheries subsidies, intellectual property, pandemic preparedness and removing restrictions on food exports, and then called for similar unity of purpose to ensure the WTO remains a credible custodian of global trade.
“Now is the time to build on this momentum and push for greater progress to embrace digitalisation and enhance strategic digital trade policies, as well as to strengthen the WTO’s role as a forum for trade negotiation and rule-making, and an effective platform for dispute resolution and arbitration. We look forward to working closely with WTO members in the year ahead to strengthen the future of global trade by building greater inclusiveness, transparency and innovation in our multilateral trading system.”
